Randy Covitz
Publication: The Kansas City Star
Date: March 1, 2014
When the Chiefs signed Priest Holmes as an unrestricted free agent in 2001, the team expected him to be its third-down, change-of-pace running back.
Instead, Holmes became the most prolific running back in franchise history.
That’s why Holmes, the club’s all-time leader in rushing and touchdowns, was introduced by Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt as the 44th member of the Chiefs Hall of Fame on Saturday night at the 101 Awards dinner at the Westin Crown Center hotel.
“It’s a great honor,” Holmes said. “I’m excited because not only do my parents get a chance to be a part of this, but it’s leaving a legacy for my kids. I remember walking down the halls (at Arrowhead Stadium) seeing those great names and saying, it would be pretty nice to get my name up there one day.”
“So when Clark called me, I asked, ‘Who is going to pick out the picture they’re going to make the bust from?’ He said, ‘No one has asked that before.’ But I want to send them the picture that will be part of Kansas City history for a long, long time.”
The picture is of No. 31 spreading his arms and holding the ball parallel with the ground as he crossed the goal line … a franchise record 83 times.
“When people ask me what’s the thing I miss most about football,” said a now-bearded 40-year-old Holmes, “it’s the touchdowns.”
